Nurses Note

Week two has come to a close. Time feels like it's flying already. I'm excited to get this semester done, so that I can move on into the specialties.

But first things first, tackle this clinical! Today we had our orientation. Nothing like a little lab simulation to make you realize how much you didn't pay attention to anything nursing over the long summer break. Hello "I've just completely blanked in a familiar situation" feelings.

If there's anything I've learned in Nursing School, and even life in general, it's to be able to laugh at yourself. Odds are someone somewhere did something as equally as mental as you have done. For example, you're probably not the only one who has completely bypassed complaints of breathing difficulty to examine an uncomfortable leg! Oh Yes, I did that. It was a mannequin. No harm, no foul! Right?! Hahaha.

So, for all my fellow nursing students in the world, remember that this whole thing is a learning process and we are meant to make mistakes! Just be careful and ready to learn and you'll make it just fine! In the meantime, let us thank the gods that mannequin simulation is used before they unleash us on the live humans! Hahaha,

Goodnight all. Thanks for reading.

Junior Year: Week One

Can't really call this a week.  I haven't started clinicals yet so it was just two days.  But whatever..semantics...who needs 'em!
So I was really looking forward to this semester.  I have a pretty light course load and a day off!  But so far I am not too thrilled...

Day One: Med Surg 2

I'm not up at the buttcrack of dawn! The traffic is light! I have found a parking spot! Oh happy day!

Anxious to meet my professor, who I have unfortunately heard pretty sucky things about.

The verdict? She seems ok, a little monotonous but nice enough.  But oh no...she bears an uncanny resemblance to one particular CNA from last semester whom I despised!  She just had a talent for making us students feel stupid!

NOTE TO SELF: Don't be that way when you are a nurse! 

Remember where you came from!

Now I cannot get this terrible association out of my head!  I've met too many people like her who fit a certain miserable stereotype.  I hate to judge! Oh let me be wrong!

And now the moment we've all been waiting for! Clinical assignments!

Ohmygosh!!! Ohmygosh Ohmygosh! St. Blablahblah is an option?! That is but 15 minutes away!

The fateful list lands on my desk...

Amanda Castro...you are going to....

Yadayadayada hospital! Way out in bumblefuck, one hour and 15 minutes from your home! Hello 5:30 am travel!

Well that didn't go as I hoped...

Ah well.  I'm not too bummed. This was my clinical assignment last year and it really was a lovely hospital.  Now I at least have a certain sense of familiarity and security.It will have to do! Well...not like I have a choice anyway...

Day Two: Weight Lifiting, Research, and Ethics

Weight Lifting: AH RELIEF! I am not the scrawniest one here! And the teacher is not a meathead! Success!

Research: Holy urge to scratch my eyes out, Batman! Most boring 3 hours I've had to endure. Must find humor in this monotony!

My teacher- though a seemingly sweet lady-likes to ramble on and on about herself and information useless to the class it seems. Oh joy!  However when she says diabetes she kinda sounds like this guy...

Hahahahaha...now I have to keep myself from laughing when she says it! Well it should keep me occupied at least!  And while we're on the subject of keeping busy...some very mature soul (and a...superb...artist at that) decided to doodle some "boobies" on the chair in front of me.  I thought I was in college? (Sorry dude, you're probably just trying not to claw your eyes out like me, huh?)

And then this particular work of art happens to inspire me!

And on that note, I leave you!

How do you stay awake in terribly boring classes?

Back to School...

Well...goodbye social life! And time for myself!  The beginning of school is never a happy time.  What does help is to have some cute things to start off with! Here are a few of my favorite things...

1. Soda Canvas Shoes- I gave up on back to school shopping years ago, and truthfully I am not a big clothes crazy girl.  I do however looooove shoes.  I was in need of something other than flip flops or boots, but wanted something cuter than a sneaker.  So I snatched these babies up!  They are super comfortable and the best part is that they only cost me $1.30! Yay for Bob's Stores $10 rewards coupons!  My only complaint is that they do make you sweat.  I'll have to find some type of cut off sock.  In the meantime, I'm lovin them!

2. Uni-Jestream 101 1.0 Ballpoint Pen in black- Ok so this isn't exactly a "cute item".  However I do a lot of writing (lists, blog planning, notes) and I am very very particular about my pens.  These write beautifully.  I am told you can find a big box of them at Sam's Club, but I'm not sure for how much.  My boss gave me a bunch after I admitted how often I considered stealing them. Ha!

3. Weekly Note Planner- Found this is in the dollar section of Target! I f*****g love LOVE the dollar section.  anyways...I am a mess when it comes to due dates (oh shit that's this week?!?!)  This will help me to keep myself on track, day by day.  And what really helps is that it's in very eye-catching colors! 

4. Clipboard Folio-  Another sweet Target find!  This I believe was half off and only cost me around $6 or $7.  I can clip all of my current important papers and lists of what I need to work on for the week right to the front, and the inside has two pockets, one of which holds a cute pad of paper.

5. Bow Tote Bag- Been in need of a cute new bag, but I just couldn't bring myself to buy one.  There are so many other expenses in my life right now, why buy what I can make?  I used duck cloth I found at Walmart (2 yards for $5!) and followed this tutorial. So cute! And pretty easy to make...even for a terrible sewer such as myself!

Good luck to all heading back to classes this week! Especially my fellow nursing students...